The
journey of Rajasthan Patrika
from a local quarter size double-sheet evening
daily to a full- fledged sixteen page newspaper
started in 1956. The dream of commanding
a Rajasthan wide circulation of over four
hundred forty thousand was given the form
of reality by the founder, proprietor and
editor Late Karpoor Chand "KULISH"
who is the epitome of unflinching courage,
tenacity and perseverance. The idea of starting
daily newspaper originated in his mind while
he was working for Rashtradoot, a prominent
newspaper of that time. The other two hindi
dailies Lokvani (1946-1965) and a Navayug
(1955-1963), during that time Delhi based
newspapers dominated the redearship of Rajasthan
due to their better resources and wide coverage
of news. While working for Rashtradoot Kulishji
realised the need of an independent newspaper
free from political affiliations and devoted
to the problems, hopes and aspirations of
the people. With the help and encouragement
of his well wishers, Kulishji ultimately
launched Rajasthan Patrika.
The success of any daily newspaper has to
be measured in terms of numbers of its editions,
its circulation and the revenue it generates
from the market. Rajasthan Patrika
on this count right from its inception has
not only come out with flying colours but
has achieved landmarks on several occasions
and has to its credit several achievements
in making history in the newspaper journalism.
The figures themselves tell the history
of such spectacular development of the newspaper
that is no less than a miracle: 15 editions
with a readership crossing in a short span
of fifty years. To have a feel of this success
story one has to look back at the fifty
years of amazing journalism that Rajasthan
Patrika has to its credit.
1956-1965
The magnificent role the newspaper played
in the public agitation with regard to establishing
the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court
by way of its powerful editorials including
playing up the cause by publishing news
stories and reviews of the public opinion
earned the laurels of the people apart from
earning the credibility of its ever increasing
readership. This was crucial and rewarding
also. The image of the newspaper went up
in the eyes of the masses. The circulation
increased by leaps and bounds and in 1964
i.e. Patrika became a morninger.
1965-1975
By the third Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) Election
in Rajasthan, the journalistic expertise
that included unbiased and objective reporting
along with analytic reviews and articles
added four thousand copies to its ever growing
circulation. 1966 saw the introduction of
the new German Printing Machine that awarded
one additional column in the seven column
page. The honest objective and right analysis
of the 1967 Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) Election
made by Rajasthan Patrika
again proved what it projected to be correct
which led to its future approach in the
hearts of the people. The credibility factor
was rewarded in the form of an increase
of circulation to 10,000 copies. At the
same time the newspaper got the membership
of Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) which
helped in boosting the revenue side thus
making the newspaper economically stronger.
Steep increase in the number of ads, quality
printing and journalistic expertise including
vast coverage of rural Rajasthan resulted
in a runaway success which was proved in
1977 when its circulation crossed 30,000
copies. The development continued unabated
when circulation crossed 24000 in 1974,
26000 in 1975 and 33000 in 1976.
1975-1979
During the dark days of emergency from 1975
to 1977 Rajasthan Patrika
played its glorious role which will be written
in golden words in the history of journalism.
When the famous national dailies started
crawling in front of the powerful, congress
leaders of the Government, Rajasthan
Patrika without any fear carried
on the crusade for journalistic freedom.
This caught the imagination of the people,
Rajasthan patrika became
the newspaper of the Masses. By the end
of emergency the circulation figure went
up to 53000 and in a short span of three
month the circulation shot up to 75000.
The emergency thus proved to be a boon for
the development and progress of Rajasthan
Patrika.
1979-1997
After the emergency the publishing of the
newspaper started from new premises at Kesargarh,
where in nearly 15 months a history was
created when the figure crossed one lac
while Patrika launched its first Jodhpur
Edition in 1981 and with the starting of
Udaipur Edition a new milestone was achieved.
All the three editions got the national
awards for printing and designing. In March
1986 Kota Edition and in August 1987 Bikaner
Edition were added to the newspaper. Patrika's
grand success continued and increased day
by day. In 1995 National Readership Survey
(NRS - 1995) showed that an astounding 84.68%
(27.42 Lac readers) of the Hindi Newspaper
readers in urban areas of Rajasthan read
Rajasthan Patrika.
1997 Onwards
In 1997 Rajasthan Patrika
readership continued to soar high and touched
10 million mark by 2000. In the year 2000
the new editions at Bhilwara, Sikar, Sriganganagar
were started. On 11th August 2002 Ahmedabad
Edition and on 28th October Ajmer Edition
and in the year 2003 Surat Edition were
added in the list. This was not an easy
job but it was made easy by the capable
employees of Rajasthan Patrika. Its march
onward continues and many more achievements
in the field of journalism await it.
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